This week in New Zealand: A Hiker’s Paradise, I begin with South Island hikes around Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula, inland toward Wanaka and Queenstown, and across to the West Coast. As stated in the last post, the climate changes quite a bit as you head further south. The landscape becomes more mountainous, the nights chillier, the weather more variable, especially in the mountains. Some of these New Zealand South Island hikes are simply stunning. All are doable in a day or two, but can be linked up with other tracks for a longer duration.
*This is part four of six. Read parts one, two, and three.*
Canterbury/Christchurch/Banks Peninsula
You might notice that I also had Canterbury in the last post. I had really focused more on the hiking near Arthur’s Pass and Mount Cook, so this week we will be checking out hikes nearer to Christchurch!
Banks Peninsula tracks
{image from Bernard Spragg/Flickr}
There are several tracks out on the peninsula, which is about a ninety minute drive from Chch proper. Three of these tracks link together so you can create a multi-day itinerary: the Kaituna Valley to Packhorse track, the Te Ahu Patiki tracks, and the Te Ara Pataka tracks. All of these follow exposed ridges, crater rims, and saddles along the volcanic peninsula. The tracks also offer excellent views of the many harbours. Climb through native forest, regenerating bush, and open grasslands. For less challenging hikes, look into the walks on the peninsula.
Christchurch-Little River rail trail
{image from Gino/Flickr}
I decided to put rail trails into this because there are several good ones across the southern South Island. This is an easy 44km cycling trail that begins in Christchurch and ends in Little River, on the peninsula. It is suitable for kids, and can also be walked instead of cycled. The trail runs alongside both Te Waihola/Lake Ellesmere and Te Roto o Waiwera/Lake Forsyth which allows for views of the surrounding wetlands, the distant mountains, and the many, many birds that live in the lakes.
Ahuriri Conservation Park
{image from DOC}
Located on the eastern side of Omarama and Twizel, the Ahuriri conservation park offers a plethora of hiking trails. The Avon Burn track is an 8 hour one way hike (22km round trip) that is part of the Te Araroa trail; consider it an expert-level track and plan to overnight at Top Timaru Hut on the far side of Mount Martha. There are other, shorter walks in the park; read about them here.
The West Coast
Bouncing across to the West Coast – yes, I admit to being a little out of order here – we find a lot of really good hiking around the glaciers. Some of these hikes are expert-level only, and if you don’t have extensive alpine or glacial hiking experience then you shouldn’t attempt them. I’ll note which ones those are 😉
Fox Glacier
Hiking on New Zealand’s South Island isn’t complete without a hike or two around a glacier. There are a few short walks around the tiny town of Fox Glacier. First off, there’s the walkway to the glacier lookout points, which is about an hour round trip if you walk from the car park and about two hours if you walk from town. Do not go beyond the barriers without a guide. There is also an 8-hour summit walk to Mt. Fox, which is just outside of town. The other walks near town are out at Lake Matheson – up to a one and a half hour circumnavigation of the lake – and Gillespies Beach, where you can walk 3.5 hours out to a seal colony (closed as of June 2016).
If you are interested in hiking on the glacier itself, visit the guides in town to book a helihike. For what its like to hike on the glacier… read Laura’s post.
Copland Track
{image from Robert Günther/Flickr}
Located about a half an hour from the tiny town of Fox Glacier, the Copland Track is a 17km hike that takes about 7-8 hours one way. It’s recommended to sleep at the Welcome Flats hut – bookings essential in the summer months – but I suppose if you really wanted to, you could do it in a long day. Those that do the tramp are rewarded at Welcome Flats with a natural hot springs pool, so you would be stupid to not spend the night there and enjoy those. There’s a water crossing as well, and the DoC recommends not crossing if there has been recent rain as higher crossings will be difficult or impossible.
Franz Josef Glacier
There are some really great New Zealand South Island hikes in the Franz Josef Glacier area. Some of these are day-long hikes to spectacular viewing points, others are through the glacier valley to the face of the glacier. Don’t miss the Douglas Track and Roberts Point. The Alex Knob track is also a good, but challenging, hike.
Ahuara River & Lake Brunner
{image from Alex Hallatt/Flickr}
There are a number of expert-level tramps in the Ahaura River and Lake Brunner catchment area north of Greymouth, some of which link back up to tracks in the Canterbury region. A lot of these cross rivers, so knowledge of river crossing is essential, and you should also be fairly experienced in back-country hiking. Both Mount French and Mount Te Kinga are located in this region.
Central Otago
Central has some great hikes, especially in the Queenstown and Wanaka area. I’ll focus on this area for this week and add any additional CO hikes into next post.
Bob’s Cove
Just outside of Queenstown, on the Glenorchy road, is Twelve Mile Delta and Bob’s Cove. The walk here is about two hours, and it takes you along the lake edge and into the forest before popping out at the cove – well hidden from the rest of the lake and Queenstown.
Queenstown Hill
Take this short walk (one hour round trip) from the town centre through a pine forest to the top of QT Hill. It’s steep at times but easy and the views from the top are worth it. Many a local frequent here, and dogs are welcome.
Ben Lomond/Moonlight Track/Arthur’s Point
I lumped these tracks together because you can do all of them, or some of them, together. The Ben Lomond track starts at the top of the gondola, but you can tackle the tough Tiki Trail to get to the skyline if you are keen (otherwise take the gondola up). One you’re at the top of the gondola, the Ben Lomond track is relatively easy. Follow the saddle to the point where the Moonlight track splits (it heads to Arthur’s Point and is a great meandering track) and then follow the ridge line up to the summit. The Ben Lomond track is around 6 hours round trip, but pay close attention to the weather.
Roy’s Peak
Roy’s Peak is likely one of the most popular hikes in the Lakes region, but with good reason. The views are simply spectacular. This is a very challenging hike, mostly because of the steep climb, but doable for most ages as long as you are in decent shape. Hit the viewpoint for a little break but definitely go all the way to the summit. Time: around 6 to 7 hours round trip.
Diamond Lake
{image from Shellie/Flickr}
There are several walks at Diamond Lake, which is just outside of Wanaka past Glendhu Bay. The longest walk – to the summit of Rocky Mountain – is around 3 hours round trip; the rest are short walks.
Mt Isthmus Track
{image from Tom Stokes/Instagram}
A peak to rival Roy’s Peak, this is quickly becoming a popular track in the area. From the top, the views reach out across Lake Wanaka to the west and Lake Hawea to the east, and on a clear day you can see Mt Aspiring. This track also crosses private land; be aware of closures. Closed annually 20 November to 20 December for foaling.
Rob Roy Glacier
One of the easier walks in the area, in my opinion, but it does take a little bit of patience getting out there. To access the trail, follow the Mount Aspiring Road out of town. The last 30 kms of this road are gravel, and the last 10 cross fords – be aware of the weather and be prepared to walk in from your car if the fords are deep. The trail is about 4 hours round trip and offers expansive views of the Rob Roy hanging glacier. Don’t pass the lower lookout in winter or spring as it is avalanche territory and the paths aren’t marked.
Next week, I take a look at more New Zealand South Island hikes in Central Otago, hikes near Dunedin, in the Southland – especially those in the Catlins -, Fiordland, and Stewart Island. The week after, I’ll break down all of the Great Walks, most of which I have avoided mentioning in detail in the weekly posts.
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